"Reporting for Duty"

Posted on Mon Sep 16th, 2024 @ 2:11am by Crewman Adelaide Kirkby & 1st Lieutenant Torian Vale

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: DECK THIRTY-TWO - MARINE COUNTRY - HQ ADMIN OFFICE
Timeline: Prior to departure - Seven months ago
1358 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

Crewman Adelaide Kirkby was at a folding desk on the parade grounds on deck thirty-two. There was a lot of noise and chatter on the deck. Elysium was getting ready to deploy and there were twenty-five new Marines for her to process and intake. There was a single line of them, their duffle bags and equipment either at their side, in their backpack or in a duffle bag at their feet. Adele was checking them in for duty and letting SFMC know that the Marine had checked in.

"NEEEEXT!!" a voice bellowed as the Marine she was assisting was finished and she was ready for a new face.

Torian Vale stood in line, his black duffle bag rested by his feet, Midnight—his black Labrador—sat obediently next to him. The line of Marines moved steadily forward, with the noise and activity around them marking the preparation for deployment. The Elysium’s massive frame buzzed with life, but Torian, with his sharp focus and calm demeanor, barely registered the chaos. His mind was already on the mission, calculating what he would need, analyzing the environment of the ship, and preparing himself mentally for the inevitable.

He heard “NEEEEXT!!” and he jolted forward and away from his thoughts.

It was his turn. Torian grabbed his duffle bag and gave Midnight a quiet command to follow. The Labrador, ever alert, moved alongside him as they approached the folding desk where the Crewman sat.

Adelaide smiled when she saw the Labrador and then smiled up at the new Marine. He was a tall drink of water; bright blue eyes, rugged looks, a beefcake and he filled out the uniform nicely. She greeted him, "Welcome to Elysium 1st Lieutenant. And welcome to Colonel Azhul's 'Spartans'. The Marine XO is Captain David Tonelly. I am Crewman Adelaide Kirkby and I will be helping with your onboarding. May I please know your service ID number?"

Torian Vale, ever the composed Marine, gave a slight nod in acknowledgment of the Crewman’s welcome. He glanced down at Midnight, who sat patiently by his side, and then met Adelaide’s gaze.

Service ID: 9187-4674,” Torian responded in his deep, steady voice, keeping things as professional as possible.

Typing his service ID number in and then the computer displayed all of his relevant data on the screen. His service history and transfer orders were there. "Thank you. And there you are. First Lieutenant Torian Vale. Transferring from Starbase one-one-five. Member of a Special Recon Unit. Your MOS is code 0317 Scout/Sniper..." she read off more of his record as she typed in specifics to effect his activation over to Elysium. "...you...sir...are assigned to..." the computer whirred and then then beeped. "You are assigned to the Second Platoon as the same MOS-0317. Your new Platoon CO is Captain Bradford. And....he knows you're here now. OK, that's all set. Uhmm....ok medical records are here. Your benefits have transferred and your contacts are all there. One sec....ok. Uhhm...your last posting. Starbase 115? They still have you as an active status, but they closed the rest of your file out. Are you going to remain like...active reserves for Special Recon? I only ask because, if you are then you get to apply all your accrued time for furlough here on Elysium. You can just bank it. If not and you want to cash it out then it can be converted over to Fed credits and deposited."

Torian stood there and listened to Crewman Kirkby conduct a rundown of his file. His hands folded while holding Midnight’s leash. The dog sitting and looking at him ready for commands. His eyes remained steady, though his mind began to wander.

Reserves? he thought internally as she continued to speak and read off the computer. The past few years had been stalking, staying out in the wild for days on end, tracking targets, and doing what needed to be done, often in the harshest of conditions. It was where he thrived. Reserves seemed like a step backwards.

But now, aboard the Elysium, he couldn’t shake the nagging worry that his skills might be wasted in some static role, sitting behind a desk or being assigned to monotonous duties. He wasn’t made for that kind of work. He needed to be out there—where the action was, where the danger was, where he could make a difference.

The idea of being benched or used for more administrative or mundane tasks irked him internally.

As Kirkby continued listing off the logistics of his transfer, he shifted his stance slightly.

“Reserves? Nu uh, not me, no ma’am,” he said, his eyes locked on to hers. “I’m not looking to sit around. So I guess cashing it out would be best.”

She nodded, "We can certainly do that. Its better than losing your earned time off. OK, so let's see...but you'll remain in active service right? For the Special Recon?"

He shrugged “Sure. Nothings in stone, mam.”

She added, "I guess that's what's confusing to me. And, it's not you sir...its me. I just don't want you to lose any of your earned time off. You have eighty-eight ours of furlough. Transferring that, cashing it out into credits, or just leaving it alone will not change your status with Special Recon. It's just odd that they left it open and active without a note attached."

“Ma’m, listen, I can’t tell you either why my dog’s fur is black. If you get my drift.”

Adele looked at the dog and asked, "Your dog is so well behaved. Is it yours?"

“Yes, ma’m. Loyalist animal alive. Love this guy.”

She loved animals too, "Ohhhh! What's his name?" she asked.

“Midnight, ma’m,” he said smiling.

"Hello Midnight! Awww....He adores you. He's such a cutie. Yes, and I know he's been trained to follow your commands. Even so, just look at those eyes." She smiled at Midnight but resisted the urge to reach out and pet the animal. 1st Lieutenant Vale seemed a bit muted to Adele. She was reminded that many people are when they are transferring and being redeployed. She caught another glimpse of him and wouldn't mind meeting him again. She remembered that there is another Marine who also has a dog. She said, "By the way, Lance Corporal Griffin is part of the Search & Rescue (SAR) team. He's a sapper by MOS but he has a dog too. A female husky, I think."

The momentary personal interaction was interrupted by the computer beeping, "Ah, we're done. Just use your thumbprint here on the PaDD please?" She handed the PaDD over and capturing his thumbprint she followed with, "Your furlough has been converted into Federation credits. That's all for now. Welcome aboard First Lieutenant."

Torian Vale nodded and pressed his thumb to the PaDD, finalizing the last of the paperwork. "Thank you, ma’m.” he said simply, taking the PaDD back and handing it over once he had finished.

With a curt nod of acknowledgment, he gave Midnight a gentle pat on the head, signaling it was time to move. The Labrador stood up, ready to follow his lead.

"Bye bye Midnight. See you around" she said sweetly.

As he turned to leave, his thoughts drifted back to the sense of unease gnawing at him.

Torian had always preferred to stay in motion, to be in the thick of things, where his skills could be of use. Whether it was in some desolate wilderness or behind enemy lines, his purpose came alive when he faced the unknown.

He made his way through the bustling corridors of the ship. The ship's massive frame pulsing with energy as crew members moved about, preparing for deployment.

He needed to find Captain Bradford and Lt. Colonel Azhul. Sooner rather than later.

The Sergeant manning the queue seeing that Adelaide was free again, bellowed to the next Marine, "NEEEEXT!!"

Adele smiled and met the new Marine with, "Welcome to Colonel Azhul's 'Spartans' and the Sixty-second Detachment...."



[OFF:]